With 20 years of experience as a dancer, many in Malaysia know Maple to be a well-rounded performer. A dancer who indeed knows how to distinguish herself.
The judge of 8TV's sensational dance competition SHOWDOWN 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 and previously as judge of TV3's Gang Starz too, Maple's keeping busy with business, travels, wildlife & 1 serious obsession - pole-dancing & her very own Bobbi's Pole Studio in KL. Her personal journals here.

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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Tiger Temple - Thailand

Some months ago, I put up a blog on my visit to Wat Pa Luangta Bua, tiger sanctuary/animal rescue center just outside of Bangkok. This place offers an experience many would fly from around the world to obtain - an up-close and personal encounter with these big cats. To an animal lover like me, the experience was unbelievable....really, a once-in-a-lifetime chance that I was able to come so close to these tigers as to smell their breath. That experience was simply mind-blowing.

But then an article of this place published recently in The Star, written by Hilary Chiew, presented very disturbing facts. Colleagues at work often leave animal-related clippings on my desk whenever I'm traveling, so thanks to Stephanie who had saved this one for me.

I read in disbelief.... could this be? I mean, how disappointing! Reports from an entity known as CWI (Care for the Wild International) revealing the dark side of things, from details gathered by tourists and volunteers at the temple over the last 2 years. Pictures of the Abbot, the head monk and founder of the Tiger Temple, spraying collected urine in a plastic bottle on a tiger's face, as an act to induce submission and a staff pulling a tiger's tail.

I don't know.... I didn't see this happening while I was there. If I did it would've been so repulsive and atrocious I would've definitely blogged about it! But then again, who knows. There's surely a picture of staff pulling a tiger's tail here and mistreatment of any animal as such is enough to put me off.

One confusing part was regarding Payak, a 4 month-old tiger which I was photographed with just a few months ago. But the article says Payak had already been been exported to Laos for "the exchange of genes" in 2005. Perhaps 'new' tigers take over old names? But if this is so, could this be their scheme to hide the fact that tigers donated/rescued/adopted, that were supposed to be housed and cared for in the monestary or released back into the wild as they claimed, are actually moved out, sold or traded?

that's Payak & me playing - early 2008

I'm also aware that the abbot is gathering funds to build what they call a Tiger Island within the monastry, which is a huge rehab area to house new cubs and younger cats in preparation for their release back into the wild. Now from CWI's investigation, I learnt that the monastry is not licensed to hold or breed tigers because apparently the Thai government had no such facilities and the Department of National Parks in 2005 had allowed the temple to KEEP the tigers but NOT BREED or TRADE the cats. Plus whether they're scientifically competent of the rehabilitation process of these animal is questionable.

Shit. This is fucking bad if the report stands true - the illegal trading/trafficking, inflicting cruelty and mistreatment & overall exploitation of these tigers that are supposed to be under their unconditional care. I mean, I've been there myself and I've seen how the temple promotes animal conservation and protect well-being of all the animals in the monastery... something I'd definitely support which was why I made it point to go there! It seemed like this sanctuary was such a dream come true for us and for the animals!

Besides, the fact that the sanctuary is within a monastery and since the animals there are being looked after by monks, one just can't imagine how animals can be mistreated there, on holy grounds! You know, the temple just gives people a preconceived impression that everything they do in there for the animals must be righteous in the name of Buddhism. That's fucked up.... I guess many things aren't always what they seem....

Well, you guys judge for yourself then.

Chelsia, what do you think? I'm sure you're stunned by this too, huh. (Chelsia Ng, whom many know is a fellow Tiger Ambassador too, has also visited this Tiger Temple recently).

I didn't even meet the Abbot but she did! Wonder if he took her around to the deeper part of the monestary where there're supposed to be more cats but this specific area is not accessible to the public.

For those who want to read more on the report, go to www.careforthewild.com or if you have further questions, write to Hilary at hnchiew@thestar.com.my

1 comment:

With regards to the notorious Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand - following complaints from tourists and volunteers about tigers being mistreated, international wildlife charity Care for the Wild recently undertook an intensive two year investigation. Their report reveals evidence of illegal wildlife trade, animal cruelty, false conservation claims and visitor safety risks at the Temple.

You can read the report at: http://www.careforthewild.com/projects.asp?detail=true&I_ID=580&mypage=Reports

The Many Faces of Maple Loo

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The Daughter

The Asian Pole Summit 2008

Make one weekend the gateway to your most SEXY self, ladies!The first-ever Asian Pole Summitin Malaysia is happening on 6th & 7th Dec at The Hanging Garden (my new pole school!) which is located at Linda Jasmine Performing Arts Studio in Ampang Point.

A cluster of intensive workshops is designed to build you the the core and shape you from inside out! A line-up of professional pole and dance instructors, including world-famous pole fitness guru from UK, KT COATES will be in town to teach pole dance, women styling, special dance techniques, flexibility & core-strengthening & exotic dance as well. Absolute beginners are highly encouraged to join.

Workshop package includes a Pole-Licious Party at a plush hideaway venue!Don't miss out on this exciting weekend where all things EXOTIC conspire to titillate your senses....

If you sign with me before 31st Oct 2008, you'll enjoy an early bird special!

The Many Faces of Maple Loo

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Tamarind, Tioman, Turtles & TV3

It's about living life to the fullest, choosing to do and be everything your heart desires and juggling to find that balance in order to fulfill all of that, all at once. Life IS a dance. And my believe is, the way to dance it is LIVING IT RIGHT. Read, read, read! It's everything that goes through my head. Please, be my guest.

Zoolander

This is the story of my volunteering work at Zoo Negara, the remarkable experiences I've gained from having chimpanzees throwing feces at me to getting chased by king cobras, from treating injured flamingos to hatching crocodile eggs. How many have the privilege to get close enough to look into the kind eyes of a giraffe, close enough to feel the breath of a tiger's thunderous roar, cudddle & play with a baby orang utan called Katie or repair the shell of a giant galapagos tortoise? Read this as you might just as well be bitten by the volunteer bug.

The World Tourism Conference

Why you should read this? You should if you want your future generations to be able to enjoy some shade. It's about human kind surviving the environmental changes of the world and SUSTAINABILITY being the keyword and keyaction.

Burmese Days

Read my travel journal on Myanmar and get great ideas on where to shop, what not to eat and do, how much to pay and why you must visit this interesting country at least once in your lifetime.